The Pittsburgh Steelers report to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania this week as they open their 2022 training camp practices on July 27th.
As training camps begin around the league and the 2022 off-season inches closer to the preseason, fans across the NFL are beginning training camps of their own. Fantasy training camps that is.
Fantasy football rankings, mock drafts, and stat projections are being released every day. Below are the fantasy stats projections for several members of the Steelers' offense, as well as to where they fall within my rankings.
All the point projections below are based on PPR scoring.
Steelers Quarterbacks
Mitch Trubisky
2021 Points - 8.12 | 2022 Projected Points - 278
3,875 Passing Yards, 27 Passing TD's, 14 INT's, 310 Rushing Yards, 2 Rushing TD's
There is no secret that the Steelers are expected to start Trubisky in Week 1. He likely gives them the best chance to win early on, and could hold the job down for the entire season. However, with the team selecting Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, if Trubisky hits a 2-3 game slide, he could end up losing the starting job.
Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
The potential of him not being a starter the entire season really limits his upside in fantasy. However, I do think he will be a decent streaming option throughout the season due to having some upside with his legs and a good group of skill position players around him. If he plays the full season, he is a solid back-up option.
Ranking - QB #18
Steelers Running Backs
Najee Harris
2021 Points - 300.7 | 2022 Projected Points - 304
1,250 Rushing Yards, 8 Rushing TD's, 64 Receptions, 490 Receiving Yards, 3 Receiving TD's
As a rookie, Harris was one of the best running backs for fantasy, and in real life if we are being honest. His workload was through the roof, and I would expect some of that to come off of his shoulders. I think he loses probably 10% of his carries and some receptions as the team attempts to keep him healthy and fresh, but with an improved offensive line, his efficiency should definitely increase.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris (#22), during a regular season game between against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA at Heinz Field. The Steelers beat the Broncos 27-19. | Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers
No other running back on the team is currently worth drafting even as a handcuff, but that could change if someone becomes the clear-cut #2 out of training camp.
Ranking - RB #4
Steelers Wide Receivers
Diontae Johnson
2021 Points - 274.4 | 2022 Projected Points - 227
92 Receptions, 1,050 Receiving Yards, 5 Receiving TD's
I already know I am going to get some heat for this, but I think Johnson is a *slight* disappointment this year in fantasy. That isn't because I think his play will suffer, but because I think the Steelers' offense is going to spread the ball around more. Johnson was force fed the ball a lot by Ben Roethlisberger, but he deserved it with the amount of separation he was able to create. I don't think that will be the case in 2022, however.
Johnson will still be a solid fantasy wide receiver, but just not the WR1 that Steeler Nation might draft him as.
Ranking - WR #17
Chase Claypool
2021 Points - 166.6 | 2022 Projected Points - 209
72 Receptions, 950 Receiving Yards, 7 Receiving TD's
Claypool did not deliver on the expectations many set upon him heading into his second NFL season. Some of that was on him, but a good portion of the blame also belongs on the offense as a whole which struggled. He should be in a position to produce more big plays down the field using his athleticism this season, which should result in him being a draft day steal. For the most part, he appears to be drafted outside the top 40 wide receivers.
Ranking - WR #28
Steelers wide receivers, Diontae Johnson (#18) and Chase Claypool (#11) celebrate a touchdown at Heinz Field. | The Athletic
George Pickens
2021 Points - N/A | 2022 Projected Points - 90
28 Receptions, 440 Receiving Yards, 3 Receiving TD's
Unfortunately, I don't think either rookie will be able to see the field enough to be relevant in fantasy unless an injury strikes. Let's hope that doesn't happen and just leave both Pickens and Calvin Austin III on the waiver wire for the meantime.
Ranking - WR #50+
Calvin Austin III
2021 Points - N/A | 2022 Projected Points - 61
23 Receptions, 320 Receiving Yards, 1 Receiving TD's
See Pickens' write-up.
Ranking - WR #50+
Steelers Tight Ends
Pat Freiermuth
2021 Points - 151.7 | 2022 Projected Points - 154
62 Receptions, 620 Receiving Yards, 5 Receiving TD's
Many are tagging Freiermuth as a potential breakout candidate for the tight end position this year. While I agree, I don't think the Steelers' passing attack will vault him as high as many might hope. He should still be a starting worthy fantasy tight end, but not one you should reach for due to potentially limited upside.
Ranking - TE #10
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end, Pat Freiermuth leaps for one of his two touchdowns against the Chicago Bears. | Getty Images
Steelers Defense/ST
2021 Points - 90 | 2022 Projected Points - 111
2 TD's, 15 INT's, 10 Fumble Recoveries, 53 Sacks, 350 Points Allowed
The Steelers defense stands to be improved in 2022, as their run defense can't be any worse than last season. That should allow for Minkah Fitzpatrick to be more disruptive on the back-end, leading to more turnovers and less points overall.
Ranking - D/ST #10
Chris Boswell
2021 Points - 158 | 2022 Projected Points - 155
36 for 39 FG/FGA, 33 for 34 XP/XPA
Boswell is a very solid option for fantasy. The Steelers relied on him a lot in 2021 as they stalled more than they would have liked, resulting in a lot of drives ending in field goals. I see their efficiency increasing in 2022, but I think the offense moves the ball better as a whole, so Boswell should still get a solid amount of attempts.
Ranking - K #8
PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 03: Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) kicks a 30-yard field goal in the third quarter during the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns on January 03, 2022 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Well there you have it, Steeler Nation. My pre-training camp 2022 fantasy rankings and projections for the Steelers.
Comment below what you think of my projections and who you think could be a sleeper for the 2022 fantasy season!
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